India’s Digital Growth and Women’s Safety Challenges

Source: The post India’s Digital Growth and Women’s Safety Challenges has been created, based on the article “The digital frontier of inequality” published in “The Hindu” on 16th December 2024

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper1- Society-Social empowerment

Context: The article discusses India’s progress in digital transformation and its challenges. It highlights tech-facilitated gender-based violence, government initiatives to combat it, and the need for stricter laws, digital literacy, tech industry collaboration, and survivor support systems for safer online spaces. India Digital Growth and Women Safety Challenges.

For detailed information on The stage has been set for gender equity in Digital India read this article here

What is the context of India’s digital revolution?

1. India is undergoing a digital revolution, recognized globally for its digital public infrastructure.

2. It has 1.18 billion mobile connections, 700 million Internet users, and 600 million smartphones. 3. Women hold 55.6% of Jan Dhan accounts, benefiting from digital services.
3. Rural India boasts 20% more Internet users than in urban areas (2021 Nielsen report)

What are the risks of digital transformation for women?

1. Digital transformation exposes women to tech-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV).
2. Urban women in public roles face harassment like cyberstalking and trolling.
3. Many rural women lack digital literacy and awareness of their rights, making them more vulnerable.
4. TFGBV includes cyberstalking, trolling, sharing intimate images without consent, and impersonation.

What steps has India taken to combat TFGBV?

1. Legal frameworks: The IT Act, 2000, and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2024.
2. Reporting: National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal enables anonymous complaints.
3. Awareness: Programmes like Digital Shakti educate women on online safety.
4. Support Systems: Helplines like TechSakhi provide information and assistance to survivors.
5. Campaigns: Launched “Ab Koi Bahana Nahi” to address gender-based violence.
6. International commitment: India signed agreements like the 67th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women to promote safe ICT environments.

What are the solutions to ensure safer online spaces?

1. Stricter laws and accountability: Enforce stronger penalties for online violence and hold social media platforms accountable.
2. Expand digital literacy: Educate rural women and integrate safe practices into school curriculums.
3. Community involvement: Conduct workshops to involve men and boys as allies.
4. Tech collaboration: Work with tech companies to enhance safety features and use AI for detecting abuse.
5. Support systems: Strengthen helplines like TechSakhi and offer counselling and legal aid for survivors.

Question for practice:

Examine the challenges posed by India’s digital transformation for women and the measures taken to address tech-facilitated gender-based violence.